Edwards Books

Great book. Easy read. Ideal or high schooler reader, seems to be written more for that audience. Nonetheless, and excellant story of bravery and heroism, I'd recommend everyone to read this.

I loved this book. Part of the reason i did was because Stanley Edwards Jr. actually came into our 8th grade class to talk to us. He was the father of our World History teacher. His story on paper is great but hearing him in person was even more amazing. The book i dont think says this, but he died last year right before or right after the book was finished. At least his story will live on.

From an entertainment-value prospective, this book is about as good as it gets. Edwards' story is so gripping, so exciting, I was hooked immediately and was sorry when I came to the end. Phend organizes Edwards' story into a readable, novel-like book while seeming to preserve much of the language he used describing it to her. Meanwhile, I also managed to learn a few things about the war, D-Day, and the plight of Americans in occupied France.

This book tells a great story of "how it really was" for a young pilot shot down on D-Day. You get an intimate sense of the adventure, exhilaration, and teror that accompanied WWII soldiers every step of the way. The story of Stan Edward's repeated captures and excapes from Germans as he tries to get to the American lines is both exciting and realistic. This is a great read for all ages!

This book is very well written and easy to read! It brings perspective to those of us who have never been to war, and who have certainly not been a POW. A great story about survival. Julie Phend did a wonderful job capturing the mood and details of Stanley's experiences.

Well written biography. Moves along with a smooth pace. Has the feel of an exciting novel rather than a history. Will be of interest to southern Californians and particularly Angelenos. Those who have seen the movie, "There Will Be Blood" will find this story worthwhile.

The book was very interesting and historical. The writer was excellent and easy to read and understand.

Margaret Leslie Davis has done it again with another fine biography. Ms. Davis shows us the inner man of Edward L. Doheny, one of the richest and greatest Californians in history, virtually the John D. Rockefeller, Sr. of the West. Doheny was flat broke at the ripe age of 40 and yet within a few years he became one of the richest men in the country through his wild-cat oil discoveries in Los Angeles and Mexico. The break-up of Rockefeller's Standard Oil by the U.S. Supreme Court left Doheny an opening which he exploited adroitly. Most impressive is Ms. Davis's keen legal understanding and her scrupulous attention to noting her sources. In fact, the "notes" at the end of the book are arranged so that the top of the page refers the reader to the page number of the text thereby making it very easy to flip back and check the source. A small detail, perhaps, but much appreciated. Ms. Davis is a true scholar; her legal training shows itself especially when discussing the Tea Pot Dome scandal that ultimately tarnished Doheny's reputation. In short, Ms. Davis is becoming our finest historian on the West and particularly California.

Good read, except for the fact that the author deliberately omitted the fact that Ned Doheny & Hugh Plunkett were gay. Ned Doheny probably was bisexual and he spent a lot of time with his buddy Hugh Plunkett. Certainly the Doheny family asked the author to downplay this issue in exchange for their co-operation with the book. Hugh was more than a "private secretary". I assume the author is straight; so she would not understand Ned's sexuality; Ned was spoiled rotten, an only child, and was given everything money could buy. It is a wonder Hollywood never made a film of this story; perhaps the Doheny family have something to do with this? In 1929, it was assumed that Ned and Hugh were lovers. Ms Davis has tried to change history? For a price? The public is not that stupid. Especially now with the scandals coming out of that seminary in Camarillo for pediphile priests that Estelle Doheny donated so many millions to. It is a wonder the Doheny family did not provide more photos as there are more at the USC library than Ms Davis was able to come up with in this book. The Beverly Hills Historical Society has a better collection of photos of Greystone; fully furnished in its heyday than you see in this book. Behind every great fortune there is a great crime. I expected to read something I had not heard before; but she is afraid to go there. Did Lucy Battson die with her secret? It was scandalous to be gay in those days, but not now. Maybe a gay author could have done the story justice. Her details about the oil fields are great; it is the social history that is lacking. We all know that the greatest export from Ireland is its people.......

This book is a fascinating look at the life and times of one Edward Doheny the onetime founder of Mexican Oil Company prior to the nationalization of reserves by the revolutionary PRI party in the early days of their power. The narrative follows the career of Mr. Doheny from his modest prospector days in the Wild West to the heights of his infamy during the Teapot Dome scandal.

This is perhaps a timely book as well given the questions being raised at the time of this writing about corporate malfeasance and corruption in the U.S. (Enron). Teapot Dome was one of the biggest political scandals in the first half of the 20th century and involved the leasing of government/public lands in preserve areas for energy development. More than one person went to prison and wrongdoing was proven against multiple individuals in the matter.

The book makes the case that Doheny was more or less guilty of poor judgment and being in the wrong place at the wrong time more or less. It is true of course that Doheny was found innocent on the charges and it is also true that despite this Teapot Dome is the matter for which he is best known (despite for instance being a contemporary and rival of John D. Rockefeller in the oil business). If in fact he was innocent of the charges then he paid a heavy price in terms of his health and the somewhat mysterious death of his son, which was either suicide or murder depending on who you ask and how you look at it.

For those with an interest in the biographies of the early titans of U.S. industry this is a worthy read in that it does detail Mr. Doheny's rise to power as well as his fall from grace. He came from a modest background and did not make his fortune until after the age of 40 in a time before life expectations averaged 70+. He suffered through personal loses and setbacks and managed at the time of his death, despite the misfortunes, to bequeath a sizeable fortune to his heirs. This book may also be of particular interest in the study of Los Angelos in particular and California in general in that the Doheny's were prominent citizens who built some noteworthy structures in the city including religious and educational facilities.

The author acknowledges that she had the cooperation and blessings of the descendants of Mr. Doheny and that a good body of original documentation was available for review and research. This provides an intimate look at the lives of the people in question but it also may cause the thesis to lean towards their views. The book does tend to exonerate Doheny in Teapot Dome and it does make a good argument that his involvement was not profitable and that the Navy Dept in fact sought him out because of rising fears of the Japanese Navy in the years leading up to WWII. It was a condition of Mr. Doheny's development of the area under lease to him that he build an extensive oil storage and supply facility for the Navy in the Hawaiian Isles out of his own pocket. This he did and subsequently was not reimbursed when the lease was negated despite having spent many millions in pre-WWII monies. It is also I believe true to state that it was Henry Sinclair who was the actual lease holder on the Teapot Dome acreage and that Doheny was leased an entirely separate parcel of public land. Sinclair along with Interior Secretary Albert Fall went to prison in the affair but Doheny was also tarred and feathered by the affair.
Whether the delivery of $100,000 in cash by Doheny's son to Sec. Fall was in fact a personal loan much as one might expect between old prospecting buddies (which they were) is really a matter of conjecture. At any rate there was clearly the appearance of impropriety in the matter and both Doheny's son and the man accompanying him that night were involved in a murder/suicide after indictment but before trial. With the principle witness gone and little other corobative evidence Mr. Doheny's celebrity legal representation did get him acquitted although he was convicted in the court of public opinion.

Personally I am inclined to believe a man of his stature might loan a friend the sum in question but I also would not be surprised if a quid pro quo were expected in return. You see there was any number of companies competing in secret for the government contracts and it is interesting that both men who won had either the appearance of impropriety or were outright convicted of bribery. Part of the reason Doheny was spared prison was in fact due to the death of his son and his earnest and teary eyed appearance on the witness stand where he looked the part of a grieving grandfatherly figure who had lost something money could not replace.
It is an intriguing story and well written book, not terribly long or archaic for the casual reader. While it is a history book it is in fact also the story of an interesting chapter in American business and personality history.

This is a fine book by "Ibn Warraq." Rather than merely point out a few errors in Ed Said's "Orientalism," it launches into a full-scale defense of the West.

In my opinion, Ed Said was not the first human being to write an untruth, merely the first to put so many untruths in print. And while "Orientalism" is indeed ghastly garbage, one has to wonder about those on university campuses and elsewhere who have taken it seriously. Obviously, "Orientalism" should not be banned just as the words to the "Horst Wessel lied" should not be banned. But one would have to wonder about a university professor who, for political reasons, taught his class the Horst Wessel lied. And I have to wonder about the teaching of "Orientalism" as if it were scholarly work rather than trashy propaganda. As the author of "Defending the West" tells us, quoting Clive Dewey, "Orientalism" clearly touched "a deep vein of vulgar prejudice running through American academe."

Ibn Warraq gets off to a good start by mentioning the aggressive tone of "Orientalism," which he characterizes as "intellectual terrorism" given that it "seeks to convince not by arguments or historical analysis but by spraying charges of racism, imperialism, and Eurocentrism from a moral high ground; anyone who disagrees with Said has insult heaped upon him." And it is disgusting, as the author points out, to see Said's hatred of the country that gave him such privileges as a tenured professor at Columbia University (a university he did much to disgrace). As for his idea that French and British academic studies of Arab lands were part of an imperialist plan, Ibn Warraq reminds us that the first French university chair in Arab studies was founded in 1538 and the first British one in 1633, well before any French of British imperial adventures in the region.

On top of that, the author mentions that Said "always assumed the role in the West of an Islamic expert and has never flinched from telling us in unscholarly journalistic articles what the real Islam is." That's pretty rich of Said, a Christian agnostic. Ibn Warraq says that Said's work "has encouraged Islamic fundamentalists, whose impact on world affairs hardly needs underlining."

Of course, Said omits any context from which various Orientalists wrote. As Ibn Warraq puts it, "even a casual comparison of the rival imperialism of Islam" ought to show that the British Empire should not be dismissed as a purely negative historical force.

Does "Orientalism" at least make logical arguments, albeit using a distorted selection of material? No. It "displays all the laziness and arrogance of the man of letters who does not have much time for empirical research, or, above all, for making sense of its results." I found it interesting that a meritless work written by a propagandist can take years of work to refute, simply because some folks have decided to taunt others by honoring it.

Ibn Warraq applauds Western values as "a system that does not affront our reason and humanity." He warns us that "only within the framework of certain institutions can humankind hope to realize its humanity, that we discard our hard-won institutions at our own peril, the veneer of civilization of most people disappears outside their civilizing confines."

On the other hand, Ibn Warraq warns us that, a little paradoxically, Western rationalism, universalism, and self-criticism can lead to their opposites. For example, "limitless self-criticism leads to self-hatred, as witnessed in the buffooneries of Michael Moore, the exaggerations of Robert Fisk, and the fanaticism of Noam Chomsky."

I agree with the author's reaction to "Orientalism." And I recommend this book.

Ibn Warraq, author of other brilliant and explosive books such as Why I Am Not a Muslim finally deals the death blow to Edward Said's mythmaking Orientalism (Penguin Modern Classics).

It is a needed critique because so many in the academy have been seduced by Mr. Said. Edward Said was a Anglican Arab raised to an upper class family that lived the life of the jet-set, travelling back and forth from mansions in Egypt, Lebanon and Jerusalem. Said, after his upbringing that included Armenian and Jewish servants, went on to claim that the west was racist for daring to write about the history of the 'East' from a western perspective. He claimed that only Muslims could tell Muslim history and only Arabs could write Arab history.

Warraq shows that not only was Said wrong in asserting that western portrayels of the 'east' were racist, but that in most cases the west romantisized the east and accepted it and learned from it. This is most true today when most western scholarship never critiqus the Koran or the 'east' but instead accepts all the myths it has itself created. This incisive and wonderful book dares to break down these myths and explode them.

Seth J. Frantzman

DEFENDING THE WEST: A CRITIQUE OF EDWARD SAID'S ORIENTALISM is the first in-depth critique of a work that for three decades has received nearly unanimous recommendation and discussion. Said's thesis was that the Western image of the East was biased by colonialist attitudes and racism: this reconsideration offers a powerful rebuttal to college-level audiences, surveying misinterpretations in Said's original survey of scholarly literature and providing college-level collections strong in history and culture with a fine reinterpretation. Collections housing Said's work need this rebuttal.

The book is OK (like any book, I guess), but Ibn Warraq is way too serious about the subject, in my view. It is understandable, considering the impact of Said's "scholarship".
But, still, Edward Said is not an "intellectual terrorist". I think there is a difference between terror and pogrom. To call Edward Said a terrorist, or an intellectual, would be as ridiculous as to call Trofim Lysenko a scientist, or a biologist. Terrorist have to hide his intentions. Pogrom is done with a certain assurance of impunity. That's exactly what Edward Said have done.
I guess there is some point in refuting Said's ravings. But overall it looks a little bit odd: really, if you are normal, you wouldn't go to a clinic for mentally ill for some quarrels or intellectual discussions. There are doctors or nurses for that.

For 25 years, many leaders and candidates have accepted the willful misinterpretation of Western history instigated by Columbia University's infamous late professor, Edward Said. Western civilization could greatly benefit if current presidential hopefuls read this bromide of a book, identifying the damage Said caused---and providing a curative.

Politicians here gain a yardstick to measure Western cultural grandeurs (including intense self-criticism)---compared with ongoing social dysfunction, disintegration and horrors over 1,400 years of Islamic history.

Colleges requiring students to read Edward Said's Orientalism should also require this 24-karat tome, rebutting Said's flawed evaluation of the West---what Ibn Warraq identifies as inadequate methods, incoherence, tendentious interpretations---and amusing, but dangerous "historical howlers."

He credits Said for courage and self-criticism---in disparaging Arab writers insisting "the Jews never suffered..., the Holocaust is an obfuscatory confection created by the Elders of Zion," or supporting criminal French Holocaust denier Roger Garaudy.

But Orientalism's "pernicious influence" made Arab and Muslim self-examination---especially criticism of Islam within the West---nearly impossible, Ibn Warraq shows; it "taught an entire generation ... the art of self-pity," blaming all Arab and Muslim miseries on "wicked imperialists, racists and Zionists" whom Arabs and Muslims almost universally blame for their failure to reascend.

Alas, Said neglected historical Islamic imperialism---from Mohammed's invention of "one true faith" through the 17th Century, with reprises whenever wealth, time and war materiel sufficed. Petrodollars fueled the recent Islamic renewal of this effort---via "modernized" Muslim Brotherhood ancient Islamic strategy, supremacist jihad---and aggressive 21st century financial jihad through "shari'a finance."

Terror-advocating "experts" like former Pakistani Shari'a Court jurist, Taqi Usmani set Islamic banking standards for the MB construct that was established to promote Islamic supremacy. Usmani serves on the shari'a board of Saudi Arabia's terror-funding Dallah al-Baraka; in July 2007 he advised U.K. Muslims to live peacefully only until they acquire military strength to "establish the supremacy of Islam." Syrian Abdul Sattar Abu Ghuddah is a senior-level advisor to al-Baraka.

Christian, and not an Islamic scholar, Said nevertheless "bludgeoned into silence any criticism of Islam"---adding late-modern inadmissibility to ancient Islamic shari'a tradition: Muslims (or non-Muslims) criticizing Mohammed or Islam are guilty of blasphemy, punishable under Islamic law by death.

Ibn Warraq shows innumerable Western to Islam. Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz avowed, "Napoleon's campaign" ushered Egypt from "centuries of obscurantism" into modernity, including discoveries of pre-Islamic Egypt, which now anchor Egypt's tourism.

Said held, "the Orient was viewed as something inviting French interest, penetration, insemination--in short colonization...." He ignored the German, Russian, Italian and Western Jewish scholars who created Islamic, Middle Eastern and Arabic studies, thereby gutting his thesis.

Ibn Warraq finds Westerners and Western history and thought characterized by "three tutelary guiding lights,"--rationalism; universalism; and self-criticism. Pursuing truth and knowledge, Westerners accepted others and all humanity--and consistently criticized societies to improve them. Sir Jadunuth Sarkar credited the English with India's 19th century Renaissance---a mass-recovery from 500 years of Muslim jihad invasions (1000-1525), when an estimated 80 million Hindus perished.

But Islamic orthodoxy remains "suspicious of `knowledge for its own sake'." Unlimited intellectual inquiry is "dangerous to the faith." The 2003 Arab Human Development Report thus found fewer books translated into Arabic in the last 1,000 years than Spain translates in one year; Greece (population, under 11 million), annually translates five times the foreign books as all 22 Arab nations combined (population, 300 million).

Arab and Muslim pleas for assistance often brought Western "imperialists" to the Middle East to start with, Ibn Warraq notes. Sultan Selim III declared Jihad after Napoleon's 1789 Egyptian conquest---joining the infidel British and Russians to protect his imperial territories from the French. In 1804, the Ottomans got territorial guarantees from Russia and Austria; In 1809, they again allied with the British. In 1866, the Sultan permitted Suez canal construction, against British and French objections. Egypt's Khedive Ismail nearly bankrupted his protectorate---and in 1875 sold the Suez to Britain for its £4 million nominal value to unwind debts. Only reluctantly, the British helped quell riots that followed---yet the Sultan refused Britain's request that he repossess canal ownership.

Said ignored historical evidence, mimicking superficial French "existentialists, structuralists, deconstructionists and postmodernists" methods, and "grandiose theories" supported by "flimsy history or empirical foundations." Said's signature work displays "laziness and arrogance" of a literary man lacking time for empirical research or need to prove his results.

Said offended worst by neglecting comparisons. Using them, Ibn Warraq affirms the West.

Said excoriates Western slavery. But Muslim traders were far more culpable. From 1700 to 1929, Arabs traded over 17 million black slaves---including 1.5 million who perished crossing the Sahara; little over 11 million crossed the Atlantic. The Occident outlawed slavery. Muslims saw Western abolitionists as "a threat to their very livelihood but also as an affront to their religion."

Tenth century Arab geographer al-Maqdisi described "Zanj," Bantu-speaking East Africans, as "people of black color, flat noses, kinky hair and little understanding." A 10th century Persian treatise called Africans "people distant from the standards of humanity." A 13th century Persian wrote, "the ape is more teachable and more intelligent than the Zanji." Islamic social scientist, economist and philosopher Ibn Khaldun (d. 1406) argued, "Negro nations" submitted to slavery since they "have little [that is essentially] human and have attributes that are quite similar to those of dumb animals..."

Even "tolerant" Ottomans perpetuated slavery through tradition and religion---and lacked an abolitionist movement, write Ehud Toledano and Turkish historian Y.H. Erdem.

Ottomans also manufactured and traded eunuchs--boys castrated throughout southern Europe, North Africa and the Near East to maintain large Ottoman harems for the upper classes. Following "total removal of testicles and penis," eunuchs suffered extensive hemorrhaging and death rates upwards of 90% in sub-Saharan and west-central Africa.

Every Middle East scholar and library should own this book.

--Alyssa A. Lappen

If you love the pioneering work on mythology done by Edith Hamilton, then this book is a necessary companion for you. Although she always covered the figures and places fairly well, obviously it becomes simpler when you have a dictionary beside you as an extra source (and at times the one and only) pointing us all in the right direction. If Greek and Roman mythology have ever stumped you beyond what you thought was repair, I promise that this book has the potential to clear that obscurity up. And look at the used price, you can actually AFFORD it, too! YAY! So if you want to better understand Hamilton, or even Joe Campbell, purchase this buddy. It's well worth the investment! Enjoy!

Whenever I want to know about anyone from Greek or Roman mythology, this is the first book I grab. They're all listed alphabetically & there is a satisfyingly concise description of each. Entries tend to be so short that this book is by no means the only one to read about mythology in, but it's an indispensible place to start.

This is quite possibly the best, inexpensive reference material ever. This is very good. The entries are clear and concise. The names have pronunciation guides and where they are mentioned. It also has entries over the authors who wrote the works. The entries also have cross-references to other entries in the book. The font of the book is clear and there is enough white space to where the words do not seem cluttered. While this may seem not that important, when you are having to look up a character very fast so you can respond to a question, you will be thankful. I have only one problem with this book. Some of the entries on the groups of characters, such as the muses, only reference you to the names of the characters, not what they did together as a group. Even with this, this book is something you can buy and not worry about making a wrong buy.

Its a wonderful mini reference to the Gods and Goddesses of the Greek pantheon.

This book has one thing most (as far as I can tell) classical mythology references don't have: PRONUNCIATION for every entry. It's clear and complete, with even obscure references, and includes main sources.

At any price, this is an excellent resource.

I'm not quite sure where John Bellairs finished and Brad Strickland started, and that's probably a good thing. All the characters from the other Johnny Dixon mysteries are back: timid Johnny, the outrageous professor, meek Dr. Coote, practical Father Higgins and matter of fact Fergie.

The book begins when Dr. Coote shows his friends a drum that was given to him by a mysterious young man. As usual, the professor scoffs at it, although Dr. Coote is still worried, because of his extensive knowledge of voudon, an evil voodoo cult on a fictional Caribbean island. Fergie then takes the drum and beats it while screaming "babaloo! babaloo!" which sets a chain of terrifying events into action.

Dr. Coote has a nervous breakdown and a horrible old woman stalks Johnny and his family to find the drum, all while the friends scramble to figure out where the drum is and save their own necks in the process. There are some genuinely scary scenes involving a zombie, and later an exorcism.

Bellairs and Strickland have done an excellent job creating the mythology of Baron Samedi and the Priests of the Midnight Blood, the evil voudon cult on a French Caribbean island. It's a bit formulaic, and not absolutely perfect, but a taut, enjoyable mystery/horror book.

This book and the entire Bellairs series are what got me into reading and reading a lot! Looking back as a college student, the vivid impressions made on me while reading the Bellairs books are what got me hooked on reading (the Hardy Boys were instrumental as well). To give a child a love for reading while they are young is probably the best way to ensure academic success in the future. I know this as I graduate now with a 4.0 gpa!

My only qualm is the artwork for the new books. Ugh! The cover illustrations of the old ones were MUCH better. Buy the book for the quality reading inside, though.

I got interested in John Bellairs books after I read a reader review of a Harry Potter book which talked about these books as even better than HP -- and you know, he was right! These are really well-written books. I've read about 6 Bellairs books with my kids (ages 10 and 11) and this was by far the scariest. This one seemed to have more: more humor, more fright, more heart, as well as the usual excellent character development. (oh yeah, my kids really enjoyed the book too.) The scary scenes are really vivid, but ideal for my boys' age group. They just love this stuff.

I have loved John Bellairs' gothic horrors since I was a liitle boy, and could not pass up the chance to read a new tale with my old friends Johnny Dixon and Professor Childermass. I admit my skepticism about the story being fleshed out by someone other than Mr. Bellairs, who, sadly, had passed away a few years ago. But in the first few lines, and through to the end, Brad Strickland did not fail me; the story came through with the same atmosphere and feeling of the best John Bellairs, complete with the warm humor that brings you back safely from the dark evils encountered by our heroes. This story is my favorite since The Curse of The Blue Figurine and I have reread it probably six times. To anyone considering the purchase of this book I say,grant yourself the privelage.

Good grief, this was amazingly, shriekingly good!

Johnny and Professor Childermass take a detour into the darkest side of voodoo, known as voudon. When, at a get-together with one of the professor's friends, Fergie begins playing and singing ("Babaloo") a tiny leather drum, the lights unexpectedly go out.

Soon the friend is ill, raving and finally falling into a coma. A creepy old woman and a mysterious man are lurking nearby. Some of the most affecting scenes is where the professor finds the hideous creature growing in a pillow, and when he battles the horrifying snakelike demon.

But taking the prize is the zombie mentioned in the title. Holy cow.

This is a genuinely scary book-for heaven's sake, don't read it at night.

I am very pleased with this book. Not knowing much of anything abouat the subject, I've learned a lot from reading it. Good Usable Information.

When I first saw the title, "Easy Homeopathy," it sounded like an oxymoron. After all, homeopathy is not easy: and I've been using it for 25 years!

But I was in for a very pleasant surprise. The book is certainly designed for the beginner, but there is plenty of meat for the more seasoned homeopath.

The book is arranged into three parts:
1. Getting started in homeopathy
2. The seven remedies that should be in every medicine cabinet
3. A short alphabetical list of common ailments with suggestions for which homeopathic remedies to use

The first part is not only good reading for the beginner, but is also good preparation for anyone visiting a homeopath for the first time. Some of the questions that you may be asked - "At what time of the day are your symptoms worse? Are there any foods that you hate? What is you favorite type of weather?" - often seem a bit odd, so it is good to know why the homeopath will ask.

Dr. Shalts explains the seven principles of homeopathy:
1. The Law of Similars
2. Provings
3. Individualized Treatments
4. The Single Remedy
5. The Minimal Dose
6. Potencies
7. Hering's Principles of Cure

There are plenty of anecdotes to keep the material fresh and interesting.

In Part 2 he lays out his seven remedies with amusing memory aids:
1. Aconite: He calls this the Homeopathic Emergency Services Unit
2. Arnica: This one is the Homeopathic Surgeon
3. Belladonna: The Homeopathic Pediatrician
4. Chamomilla: This one is called the Homeopathic Babysitter
5. Gelsemium: The Homeopathic Neurologist
6. Ignatia: This is the Homeopathic Therapist
7. Nux Vomica: The Homeopathic Gastroenterologist

This section is very well done, with charts to highlight similarities and differences between remedies.

Part 3 has the list of conditions, and in addition to advice about which remedies to use, Dr. Shalts also suggests other helpful products and, most importantly, when to seek professional help. Some books on homeopathy look a bit like cookery books, but this one enables you to start thinking like a homeopath.

This is an excellent book for the beginner, but there is also much for the more seasoned user. Although it is advertised as a first aid book, there is actually far more inside. Even if you already know something about natural medicine, you will likely find a lot to interest you in this well written, attractive and inexpensive book.

Highly recommended.

Yet another great book on homeopathy by this highly gifted expert in the field. This book is filled with tremendously valuable insights and practical advice on how to apply the healing powers of homeopathy for the benefit of your whole family.

If you have yet to be convinced concerning the efficacy and superiority of homeopathy in resolving many commonplace illnesses, and as a means to the attainment of optimal health, this book will surely do a great deal to dispel your doubts.

For those who regularly use homeopathy, it is an easy-to-follow guide on how to identify the best remedy for many common illnesses, so you and your family will be equipped with the means to reduce or prevent many adverse symptoms or full-blown sickness before it is too late.

Filled with real life examples and information tables that clearly explain various remedies and how to identify the specific circumstances in which they should be used, this book is an invaluable reference guide on the 7 most essential homeopathic remedies for the common illnesses of everyday life.

Dr. Shalts' engaging explanations, shared experiences, common sense and sound advice reveal the depth of his skill and the great sense of human concern which he brings to the healing profession.

This book is a must read. You will enjoy it and you will most certainly benefit from it. It will deepen your understanding of homeopathic medicine, and prepare you and your family to become more informed patients of homeopathy, whether you treat with homeopathy at home, or seek the care of an experienced homeopath.

"Easy Homeopathy" delivers what other homeopathic books only promise. It explains exactly what to do to quickly eliminate acute problems. Finally I can use homeopathic remedies myself! I've been looking for such a book for so many years! All these "Comprehensive" and "Complete" guides expect me to become a homeopath. But all I want is to be able to use homeopathic remedies right away. The book teaches in detail all the important characteristics of 7 main remedies useful for many conditions. And then it offers over 80 alternatives. The information is organized in numerous tables. Reading "Easy Homeopathy" is fun. Dr. Shalts offers many real -life examples. I also appreciated a "cheat sheet" provided at the end of the book. It directs you to most commonly indicated remedies for many acute conditions. Good job!

Easy Homeopathy is simply amazing! It is exactly what we all need. It is concise and presents numerous comparison tables that make choosing the right remedy really easy. I strongly recommend it to everyone!

I grew up in the 70's and my parents encouraged my love of drawing by getting me several of Ed Emberly's books. They contain easy step-by-step instructions using basic shapes to create worlds of characters, animals, vehicles, monsters, etc.
Now I'm able to get those same books I cherished as a child for my own 6-year old. He's spent hours drawing and his love of drawing continues to grow.
Mr. Emberley's style helps anyone learn to draw. If your child shows an interest in drawing I would highly recommend this or any other of his books.
We actually purchased several, including his fingerprint and thumbprint books along with some washable stamp pads so you can combine finger painting with drawing.

I have bought several Ed Emberley books for my 4 kids. They are all good. People are always amazed at how well my kids can draw. You can learn to draw, too! Like most activities, drawing is only part natural talent, part practice and part taking lessons. These books provide those lessons.

Way back in the 80's I used to grab this book from our small, quaint library at Steeple Valley Middle School. I renewed the book frequently and would have a mild heart attack when it wasn't available in the library for me to check out.

Edward Emberley, among other artists, put me on the course to my semi-successful cartooning career. In hopes of passing on the cartooning torch, I'm purchasing these books for my two nieces so they can continue to create vast worlds and numerous creatures on a simple notebook.

These books are the greatest. I own all of the Emberly books. They are fun for adults and kids alike. You are never too old or young to learn to draw. This book will make you the most hip doodler in school or at work. Ed makes it really easy!
This book is from a series of 4 books from Emberly are the easiest books on drawing there are, period. Anyone young or old can learn to draw some great critters and vehicles from these books. ANYONE! All of his Big Color books are great, (They are a series, each named after a color). This one is famous for the easy way it shows you how to draw step by step a great big green dragon, but it is simple when you do it his way. This book includes a number of fun ideas including Frankenstein, sailboat and trees. He even shows you how to make yours unique rather than a copy of his drawings. You can be the doodle hero of your classroom or office after using this book. He does it simply using very simple steps, lines, and basic shapes to start you off. My favorite in the series would be the Purple Book, but they are all good.
If you want to move up from here and learn the terminology of what you are doing, and really become an accomplished artist, the next step after these are the terrific books by "Jack Hamm". If you just want to have some fun, get this book!

I spent hours creating entire worlds based on these books. They are a wonderful introduction to basic drawing skills and are FUN!!!

I found this book to be extremely candid, honest and very inspirational. I really did have a hard time putting the book down--I couldn't wait to find out what happened next! It is not just a book about sports, but also a book about the human spirit and one man's desire to achieve his dreams, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

I truly enjoyed Mr. Smith's "Life Journey". As I began reading, I did not know what to expect. I quickly found myself drawn to the passionate expression of love the author displayed for all areas of his life: family, friends, other loved ones and of course his first love of Baseball; later NFL (also basketball!) Not many individuals are as centered and grounded as this man, with all of his athletic prowess, ability and everything that goes along with that, he did not loose sight of his foundation - the love and dedication his family shares, the bond they have and continue to share to this day. Something else I found impressive was the honesty he shared with his readers about the highs and lows he experienced in both his professional sports life and his personal life. We all have a past, good and bad, but there are few of us who are willing to discuss this publicly and accept responsibility for our actions and as well as praise for our achievements. Mr. Smith exhibited both of these attributes effortlessly. I am reminded of one of my favorite sayings "life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away". Life is short, tomorrow is promised to no one. Mr. Smith's book reinforced this to me as I thought about my own dreams and desires. His book was a wonderful read and an inspiration to me. I thank Mr. Smith for sharing his life with myself and anyone else lucky enough to purchase it! Thank you Mr. Smith!!

Not being a huge sports fan, I was aprehensive about picking this up. Within a few pages, this book became my constant companion. Ed Smith stumbles, falls, and dusts himself off, facing each hurdle that life puts up for him. Very inspirational for anyone, but an amazing look behind the scenes for sports fans. You'll be surprised at what life on and off the field.

The journey of Ed Smith's lifetime took me on my own journey into self realization. Mr. Smith's relentless, inspirational, and "in-your-face" pursuit to fulfill his dreams, realize his full potential, and do the right thing along the way caused me to look deeply within myself and dish out a hearty "shame on you" at the image I saw.

Written in a way that ANYONE, regardless of their sporting knowledge, could understand, Mr. Smith tells the story of his life that evoked joy, sadness, laughter, tears, and a few audible "NO WAYs!". His ability to reveal his own humanity, and the humanity of others close to him, while maintaining the dignity of all involved was a beautiful testament of his own true character and heart.

I challenge anyone to read this book and tell me they remained unchanged. This book is a gift to my spirit and I consider it the catalyst to my own future accomplishments. Thank you Ed Smith for sharing yourself with us.

Not only does Ed Smith have a natural talent for sports but for writing as well! I couldn't put this book down! At times I caught my self cheering out loud, crying, and laughing. Ed's faith, perserverance, and love of family are very evident in this book. This is definately a must read!!

Father of the Bride (Part I) is more than a Classic Film, is at the pinnacle of the Comedy genre. Is one of those few movies that you'll enjoy and laugh each and every than you watch it.
Though Steven Martin certenly is one of the best actors, superb as a comedian and excellent talent in dramatic roles, I prefer the Spencer Tracy version hands down the best though in Black & White you enjoy Specer's wit, he worked very hard get it perfect.
Spencer Tracy as Stanley Banks
Elizabeth Taylor as his daughter

This humorous play is based on the novel and has been successfully made into two different movies. The movie starring Spencer Tracy is more similar to the play than the Steve Martin film. However, the Steve Martin movie has one very important character that the Spencer Tracy film does not, Massoula (played by Martin Short); who is the funniest character in the script. Anyway, the play is a charming comedy that examines the horrors of the rituals we call weddings from the perspective of the father of the bride.

Mr. Banks is a happily married man with three children who doesn't have any major problems in life. Then his daughter announces out of the blue that she is engaged to a man the family barely knows. Chaos begins and continues throughout the play until the last scene when we see the true character of the father of the bride.

A delightful play that's not only a blast to watch, but is a joy to read as well.

Having already seen both movie versions and being cast in the play by the same name, I had to find a copy of the book and find out where all the delightful wit and humor had originated. I was also seeking to see if I could glean anything from the novel to use while acting in the play. I really enjoyed the movies and love the play. However, the book is more humorous than all three.

FATHER OF THE BRIDE is told from the vantage point of Stanley Banks, the title character but in an omniscient way. There are tons of witty, one-liners throughout the novel, and though there is some dated material, the Mr. Banks of the novel seems more real and down-to-Earth than any the films are theatre have produced. The book is full of observations on life; from women and men to children and business, but told in a humorous, yet enlightening way. The book isn't very long and makes for a very entertaining read. "How. . . How".

I read this book a couple of months ago. It's very funny and sad at the same time. i feel bad for the dad because he's going through a hard time. But it has a happy ending.

A pleasant read that pokes fun of all those fatherly qualities we can all find in our own dads.

I will definitely have this around for my father when I get married!!!

I got the book, Fit and Fat, and read it from cover to cover, stopping several times to conduct certain "tests" (surveys, questionnaires, fit tests) on myself. When I completed the test on myself, I did the tests on my husband, my mom, my best friend and in some of the classes that I teach! I found the tests the funnest part in the book. But what I like to tell others is that you really can be fit AND fat, and I want people to look "inside: at the heart muscle" to determine how fit they are. In fact, just look at the mortality table to make the point that if you are Fit and Not Fat, you will die at the same rate as someone who is Fit and Fat (read the book for the research studies on this one!). Get it and share it with someone you love. It could save their life!

this word is still an understatement to describe this book. IT's all about getting people moving towards a more active lifestyle at their own pace. It truly changes the way we think about working out. It's educational and well documented. Simply fabulous.

This book dispels several myths about fitness and fatness that I found very refreshing. The authors really did their homework in providing the latest in research and providing the citation for each source. The book is relatively easy to read and is packed full of practical activities designed to increase self awareness, motivation, and physical and emotional fitness. Definitely exceeded my expectations and I would recommend it to anyone that wants to explore and enhance their metabolic, emotional, and physical fitness.

I read Fit and Fat and loved it. It has a lot of useful information. It is well written, and the analogies were especially powerful for me. The book takes shame or embarrassment out of not being fit, and teaches how to get more fit in a friendly, nonjudgemental way. It has made a big difference in my life! My friends have read this and report it was helpful for them, too, as they made lifestyle changes.

This book makes sense!!! This is a must read for anyone who is looking to get fit. If you are trying to lose 5 lbs or 50 lbs, the real life stories help you feel that you are not alone in your quest for health. As a personal trainer, the information in this book is valuable. The program designed in this book is a great supplement to the strength training excercises I recommend to my clients.